June 2013

Want to try out Apple’s iOS 7, but don’t want to hassle with the incomplete beta version? Recombu has created an interactive mock up online that lets you try out some of the signature features we saw in last week’s WWDC.

You can see everything from how the new Music app looks to what’s new on the Camera app, as well as the new settings menu that you can swipe up from the bottom of the iPhone’s screen.

Recombu offers this disclaimer about their demo:

This demo is based on the iOS 7 Beta Apple has now released and there will potentially be a few more changes and tweaks before the final revision of iOS 7 hits consumer’s devices.

Naturally, this isn’t the whole experience that iOS 7 offers – there’s only so much you can do with HTML and Javascript alone. All the wonderful animations and transitions are missing from our experience, but the roots of the redesign are all there, showing off the new range of icons as well as the core apps that have been tweaked.

We’ve even included some of the new features of iOS 7 for you to play around with. You can pull up Control Center and fiddle with some toggles, try out the new keyboard in Messages, and even take a cheeky snap of yourself using your computer’s webcam in the Camera app.

Quick reminder, though: iOS 7 isn’t anywhere near finished yet. Certain elements are no doubt going to change before the final release, and as we mentioned above, this isn’t an entirely fair representation of the full operating system. Think of this more as a fun little demo rather than a serious showcase of the OS. With that in mind, click away and enjoy.

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Xbox One has changed its policies for used games and online connectivity for disc-based games.

In a bid to win over Sony’s PlayStation 4 the Xbox One console will no longer require to be online once every 24 hours, instead only needing an internet connection when initially setting up the system.

Discs will function as they did on Xbox 360, with no restrictions on borrowing or selling used games.

“There will be no limitations to using and sharing games, it will work just as it does today on Xbox 360,” explained president of interactive entertainment Don Mattrick.

Full retail games bought from Xbox Live can also be played offline, and like today, can’t be resold or shared.

As with Xbox 360, any disc-based games on Xbox One must have the disc in the tray for them to run.

Region locking will also be lifted, meaning games from any region can be played on any console.

“Since unveiling our plans for Xbox One, my team and I have heard directly from many of you, read your comments and listened to your feedback,” said Mattrick.

“We have listened and we have heard loud and clear from your feedback that you want the best of both worlds. Thank you again for your candid feedback. Our team remains committed to listening, taking feedback and delivering a great product for you later this year.”

The used games and online requirement policies have been a big talking point since the console’s unveiling last month, with one research firm describing it as “deeply flawed”.

Microsoft previously hinted that games will be freely playable on Xbox One after the system’s demise.

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If you love your iPhone so much you just can’t get enough of it, this iPhone cookie cutter is for you. Available from Fancy for $16, you can cut out and decorate as many iTreats as your stomach can handle.

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So when can we get our hands on that new refreshed flavor of iOS? Well, it’ll depend on your device of choice. Naturally, it will arrive on the very latest iPhone 5 and retina iPad, but it also will be supported on the iPhone 4 and later, iPad 2 and later, iPad mini and 5th-generation iPods. Developers will get a version for iPhones today, with an iPad iteration coming in the next few weeks. Regular Joes, however, can expect to see an iOS 7 release date sometime this fall.

A new Find My iPhone Activation Lock feature that requires your Apple ID and password before you can turn off Find My iPhone, erase data or re-activate a device after it’s been remotely erased;

Night Mode in Maps that responds to ambient light when you use it in the dark;

FaceTime audio for high quality calls over a data network;

Notification sync, so when you dismiss a notification on one device it is dismissed on all of your devices;

Phone, FaceTime and Messages blocking to prevent specific people from being able to contact you;

Tencent Weibo support for users in China, a Chinese-English bilingual dictionary, and improved Chinese input including handwriting recognition for multiple Chinese characters;

The ability for businesses to more efficiently deploy and manage iPhones and iPads; and

enhanced in-car integration, bringing an Apple designed experience into the car for the first time.

The iOS 7 beta software and SDK are available immediately for iOS Developer Program members at developer.apple.com. iOS 7 will be available as a free software update for iPhone 4 and later, iPad 2 and later, iPad mini and iPod touch (fifth generation) this fall. Some features may not be available on all products.

*US English, French and German will be available with the launch of iOS 7. Additional languages will be added over time.

Some links are affiliated links and therefore it helps our websites and software stay free, as it is tracked to us. If you go through it, it can sometimes result in a payment or benefit to the site. It’s worth noting this means the third party used may be named on any credit agreements. If it isn’t possible to get an affiliate link for the top deal, it is still included in exactly the same way, just with a non-paying link.

Some links are affiliated links and therefore it helps our websites and software stay free, as it is tracked to us. If you go through it, it can sometimes result in a payment or benefit to the site. It’s worth noting this means the third party used may be named on any credit agreements. If it isn’t possible to get an affiliate link for the top deal, it is still included in exactly the same way, just with a non-paying link.